The hallway that was normally wide enough and would never make you think about how narrow it actually was if several people were there at the same time, now looked extremely narrow and small with the two of them.

He didn't know what to do, where to run; to begin with, running away from a gun was impossible. Even if she had deliberately missed with the intent of blocking the way; if she was determined, nothing assured that she would miss again.

Aiden's despair grew to the point where he thought his heart would stop before Maika fires again. He felt a tremendous pain, one that he had never felt before. This time, saying he thought his head would explode wasn't just an expression. Tremendous pulsating pain ran through his entire body, taking his attention for a drive, until he saw something that shouldn't be there; Aiden started seeing it, a sort of black smoky wind spread around the hallway like corrosion spots on the film of reality.

—Ugh…! This is nothing!

Even in that impossible situation, he wanted to avoid giving up at any cost. Despite being chased, Aiden could logically understand why she was doing it, she was trying with all her might to push him out of the way and not get any more involved in this supernatural and ridiculous world.

And that was, undoubtedly, why he couldn't accept such a logically cold decision. It was an antithetic approach to how he was feeling. No sane person would want to push others that much in such a precarious situation, thought Aiden; in the same vein, Maika's conjectures reached the same conclusion that no sane person would want so badly to be part of a tragic and broken world.

—The next explosion will be near you —Maika said, using her last argument to convince Aiden to give up—. You will lose consciousness 100% due to the explosion or the subsequent lack of oxygen. I assure you it will hurt when you wake up, but at least you will have forgotten all this.

—I just wanted to help you! —Aiden roared, heart on his sleeve, in response—. That's why I bombarded you with questions! To know more about your situation… When I saw you kill that thing, I knew it, I would rather not leave you alone against those monsters; in that world!

The black smoke was becoming denser as Aiden continued speaking, pouring out every last drop of his emotions in every word.

—But I couldn't even say that because you started chasing me!

—Exactly why! —Maika's voice, which until now had been firm; at most it had swayed slightly; and now, it finally broke, and her detached facade did so too, with Aiden's words the way he had said them—. That is precisely why. Because an idiot like you was looking for that!

The moment she heard those strange words that didn't fit in her world, a barrage of emotions drowned her neck dip, struggling to keep her reasoning over hotheadedness' line. She suddenly felt a pleasant rush of sensations all over, among them a tingling and warmth in her earlobes. Beyond that, she didn't have words to describe it and that made her feel more than uncomfortable; she, a hunter unable to control a situation, no matter how new it was, was unacceptable.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

—Instead of running for an easy and safe way out like it should normally be… I could see it in your expression. Instead of being horrified, you were smiling. I don't know how to react! I just know I wouldn't forgive myself if more people died in front of me.

They both looked into each other's eyes. Aiden could not respond. He knew what he was doing, that this was not his smartest hour. If only, had he stopped to think rationally for a moment, he would call himself stupid, idiotic, egotistical, meddling, and would do so a hundred times. But right now, Aiden did not want to stop and think, rather avoid acknowledging it, however she would not allow that shallow resolve into her high-speed lane.

—Why do you want to act like a hero and get involved in a world you don't know? —Continued Maika— I just want to protect you and all the people in this city and that's why I'm going to erase all your memories about me and this week.

Hearing that made Aiden feel even more annoyed, but having reached the subject, there was something else on his mind that forced him to put that anger aside: Why was he acting that way? Why didn't he just run away from her after that? Why does he feel he needs to help her and not just flee? And what is that warm feeling that runs through his body?

Once he didn't find an answer to those questions one by one, the next thing he thought of was something that made him want to laugh.

«If you put them all together, the answer is easy», he thought to himself.

—Why do you think I can abandon someone just because I'm scared? You say that the normal thing would be to run away and stay away from this world I don't know anything about? But! —The answer was so easy that Aiden didn't even have to look for the words to respond, they flowed naturally—. Isn't it you who's trying to be a hero? I'm sorry, but I don't believe in superheroes. I'm not going to abandon someone in a world I know nothing about just because they look a little powerful.

It may be the most foolish thing he could think of, but if he didn't have an answer, “I don't need one!” thought Aiden. On impulse, he picked up a piece of paper that had fallen out of Maika's bag when she stood up and clenched it tightly. He stood up daringly. He felt like he was about to run out of breath with every word, but he continued speaking.

—No matter how ridiculous and unrealistic the world you live in is, I'm not going to accept to continue my life as if nothing happened, if that's your best solution, I'm sorry, but I won't accept it. I can think for myself, thank you very much. Also… When you need help or are in trouble, no hero is going to come and save you, so I'm not going to allow a monster or whatever to hurt you without trying to help first!

—You… Why you?! —Maika stood up and faced Aiden

—I won't abandon you! —Responded Aiden, re-affirming his determination.

Both prepared their battle cry that would echo on the battlefield as if it were hell itself, to defend what they believed in. In fact, a scene of flames and black smoke would be a perfect description of hell. Both screamed with all their might in unison.

—WAAAAHHHH!

—AHHHHHHH!